Tamed: A Huntress Spin-off Novel (15 page)

“Brown hair, brown eyes, and a half sleeve on his right arm. Oh, before you even ask, the guy on the news was just a college guy who showed up at my party. I didn’t know him. I was surprised to hear that he was murdered is all.”

I reached for the wine bottle. Dinner was getting complicated and heavy. Such complex, stressful conversations shouldn’t be going around the dinner table. I felt like I had to stay on guard at all times. I was paranoid about the next daunting question, and it was getting hard for me to enjoy my meal. There were some things that my dad should never be included in, and the supernatural world and Preston were both of those things.

“Dad, are you going to stop her?” Taylor said.

“It’s one glass of wine. What could it hurt,” he said, shrugging it off.

“A lot. It’s obvious that she has a problem. I don’t mean to upset you by saying this, but you’re not exactly around long enough to know that she has a habit with running to booze when there is something she can’t handle,” Chelsea said.

“You make it seem like I’m an alcoholic…I have a couple of issues, that’s all.”

“Issues you refuse to deal with, so you let the booze do its magic for you.”

I glared at her. My blood boiled beneath the surface as my eyes watered. She struck a nerve, and this time, I couldn’t keep the tears from building.

“Well, I’m sorry I can’t be just like you. I’m Paige and I deal with crap my own way.”

“Okay, enough,” my dad said, his voice stern.

My dad reached for the bottle, and I quickly moved it out of his reach as I stood. I tipped my head back and drank the wine, gulping it down just to be a bitch.

“Paige, stop!” my father scolded, but I refused to listen.

He got up and snatched the bottle from my hand. The room fell into an awkward silence. I wiped my mouth as I looked down at all of the scowling faces that looked back at me then immediately looked away and walked out of the room.

I heard footsteps coming up behind me and a hand hooked my elbow, forcing me to stop as they spun me around. It was Eli. A look of concern showed on his face, yet there was still no disappointment. I was used to that look from everyone else and was ready to see it cross his face, but there was no sign of it. One of these days, though, I was sure I would see it.

“Why are you leaving?”

“Just once I would’ve liked a nice, uncomplicated dinner. We could’ve talked about anything—baseball, music, or even movies—and my dad decides to talk about the assault. Why would I want to talk about that? I just want to forget. He can’t know about Preston. If I told him the murdered guy on the news was the one who tried to rape me, how do you think that makes us look? Guilty.”

“I understand that, but you could’ve handled it better. You act different around me than you do anyone else. You shut down if it’s a sensitive topic, even with your own father, yet you will let me in on certain things. You could at least try to be nice to everyone. It would be a lot easier for you. Less fights and less drama.”

“I am nice. Chelsea didn’t have to attack me.”

“She wasn’t attacking you. That’s just how she is. She’ll love you to pieces but will have no problem giving you tough love when you need it. She was only telling you what you don’t want to hear, and that’s why you got mad.”

My eyes narrowed the same time his brows rose, daring me to disagree.

“Say I’m wrong.”

I gave a small smile as I pressed my finger to his chest with every word that I spoke. “You. Are. Wrong.”

His hand pressed against my stomach, pushing, urging me to walk backward as he moved forward, backing me up against the wall. My lips parted as I took in a breath, the warmth from his closeness igniting the passion inside me. He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine as he spoke. “Calm down a bit, thumper. Don’t be so angry all the time.”

I smiled. Thumper.

He kissed me. The feel of his lips, soft against my own, made the heat rise within my veins as my heart sped up. Consumed in the heady sensations of his lips on mine, my kiss became urgent and desperate for more. I pushed away his hand that kept me against the wall and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my body against his. I wanted so much more.

He broke the kiss and backed away, his lips swollen from the touch of my kiss. With his face red, he ran his hand through his hair and let out a breath, affected by my touch.

“I should go.”

“You should stay. I’m not done kissing you yet.”

I bit down on my bottom lip as my eyes covered his entire body with want.

“That’s the problem. I want you too bad, so I can’t stay. Wouldn’t want to ruin your father’s approval of me.”

“You’re not a rule breaker, are you?”

He shook his head. “No, I’m not. I don’t even think I own a rebel bone in my body. I’m used to doing what is expected of me.”

“Too tight up to be corrupted, huh?”

“You got that right.”

I smiled. “I like that.”

Maybe that was exactly the kind of guy that I needed.

“That was an interesting dinner.”

“I’m glad I was able to entertain you with my drama.”

“You certainly did just that. I’ll see you later.” He opened the door to walk out then stopped and turned his head, beaming. “And you said you didn’t do the love thing.”

I rolled my eyes as my lips lifted into a smile. “Just get out already.”

After he left, I stood with my arms folded, staring at the door, still smiling as I came down from the high of his touch, and even his presence, had caused. And still, as I thought about that kiss, excitement swirled all around my body. I liked him, and it was getting stronger with every passing day.

Chapter Twelve

There was a breeze in the air, making the hair on my arms stand on end as I looked around at the scenery before me. The lights from the tall buildings all around illuminated the unfamiliar city as I moved toward the edge of the rooftop I was standing on.

I folded my arms, feeling the silk from the midnight blue, flowing dress rub against my skin. This was real; I was sure of it. How in the hell did I get on a rooftop in a city I wasn’t the least familiar with? My breathing grew ragged and my heart sped up as the panic within began to rise. My mind was spinning in confusion as I tried to wrap my head around how I got there.

“You haven’t forgotten about me, have you?” His voice soaked into my skin, awakening the sexual prowess in me. All of my anxiety drifted away as I focused on the affect he had on me.

I smiled. Silas, the sex god, was right behind me. I turned, and as I met his gaze, I could feel it storming into my body—his want, his urge to have me—and it forced the desire that I had for him to stir. He gave me that same sexy smile that I saw back at the club. His hypnotizing eyes sucked me in like a magnet, and I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to rip his clothes off. It was strange how he could have such an extraordinary amount of power over my body. When he came around, there was always that ache that grew inside of me, wishing that I would let him satisfy my needs. I was quickly learning that his sex appeal dominated over anything else and he used it as a weapon. I knew I wouldn’t be able to concentrate around him if I didn’t break the trance that had washed over me, so I turned back around and looked down at the city below me, hearing the faint sounds of an ambulance in the distance.

“I don’t think it’s possible to forget about you. You are the first incubus I’ve ever known. Don’t worry; you left your mark on me. Besides, you did just see me this morning. I wouldn’t have been able to forget you that fast.”

“Good.” I could feel his breath on the back of my neck as he spoke.

The tips of his fingers slowly glided down my arms, leaving a chill on my skin. “I might have to work harder for your attention now that Eli wants what I so desire.”

His hand clutched my waist, giving it a gentle squeeze, and I tensed, moving out of his hold as I giggled.

“I’m ticklish.”

He came to stand beside me with an amused look on his face. “You really shouldn’t tell me your weakness. I like to use them to my advantage.”

“What are you going to do; tickle me to death?”

He shrugged. “You never know.”

I watched him from the corner of my eye as he folded his arms and sighed. He smelled of vanilla orchid and musk. It was airy, sensual, and so intoxicating that I felt the urge to move closer to him.

“You smell good. What kind of cologne do you wear?”

“I don’t wear cologne. That’s my natural scent. It comes out of my pores when I’m…attracted to someone. It also helps to draw in that person.”

His eyes were on me, I could feel it, but I still kept my eyes casted down, refusing to look at him.

“You already have me wrapped.”

You and Eli.

I heard him smile. “Good. That’s exactly what I wanted.”

“Can I ask you a question?” he asked.

I shrugged. “Sure, if I’m allowed to ask you one.”

“Okay. Is there a reason why you won’t look at me?”

“It’s your eyes. I have a hard time concentrating when I look at you…why is that?”

I waited for his reply, but the silence dragged on. I glanced his way and I could see the hesitance in his face. He didn’t want to open up.

“Silas, there’s no avoiding the question.”

He let out a breath. “That’s my allure. That’s my weapon to suck you in. We incubi have many weapons to use as our advantage to get what we want. I can turn on the charm when I want to, and turn it off whenever I please…but I like when you look at me.” He cupped my chin and forced me to look at him. “I like to see your beautiful eyes.”

My lips parted as I got lost in the beauty that stood before me. I could feel his sexual charge that he released affect me even more.

“Thanks,” I said, breathless.

He grinned and backed away from me. He knew what he was doing, and he enjoyed doing it. He loved the power he had over me.

“So, what did you want to ask me?”

My brows rose. “What?”

Running my hand through my hair, I tried to gather my thoughts. I was too high on his allure to comprehend anything.

He stared at me, his lips curved into a smile as he shook his head. “You’re so cute. I think you’re my favorite girl. Question….there was a question that you wanted to ask me. Think hard.”

Still confused, I shook my head and looked around, finding the bright lights of the building staring back at me. The city. The unfamiliar city. My question came rushing back to me. I didn’t know where I was.

“I don’t know where I am.”

“You’re in New York…my favorite city.”

“Am I dreaming? It feels so real. I don’t know what to think.”

He waved his hand, dismissing my question. “I’m here for a reason. I needed to fill you in on something very important.”

He came toward me, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me against him as his lips locked with my own. A rush of passion spread through my veins as his tongue mixed with my own. He kissed me so possessively and hard. I placed my hand on either side of his face, getting lost in the feel of his lips. I could feel it deep in my stomach; a faint flutter of butterflies. He was growing on me.

He suddenly broke the kiss.

I scowled, disappointed that he tore his lips from mine. I was enjoying it way too much for him to stop now. I tried to bring his lips back down on mine, but he pulled his face away from my hold, grabbing my wrists and holding them to keep me from trying any further.

“Now I want you to remember that kiss.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes filled with longing. “Remember what it feels like to have my lips on yours, especially when you’re with Eli, because once I set my sights on someone, I don’t give up.”

He then turned and walked away, only to glance back at me once.

My eyes flew open and I sat up in bed. I ran my finger over my lips where his own lips had touched. That was the second time I dreamt of Silas, leaving me more intrigued about the mysterious creature he was, and even though my affection for Eli was growing, I just couldn’t turn away from Silas. Somehow, somewhere along the line, he managed to get his claws in me.

****

I walked amongst the streets of the city with my arms folded and my hood up as I thought back to last night’s dinner. The wine. Chelsea’s accusatory words. The same old disappointed, worried look on everyone’s face. All of the drama that circulated around me was exhausting at times. The hostility at home that I was responsible for was suffocating, and I felt desperate to escape. They didn’t agree with my behavior at dinner, and I didn’t agree with their cold stares, so I left.

I looked up at the night sky as drops of rain fell from the clouds above, calming the humidity in the air. I came to an abrupt stop. I could feel someone watching me, it was a deep, urgent gut feeling, one that left my insides twisting with anxiousness. I turned my head and looked around at the group of faces that passed me by.

My stomach dropped as fear spread through my veins, chilling my bones as I stared at Andie with wide, horrified eyes. She was here. She stood not that far from me with a jacket on and her hood covering her head. She kept her head leaned forward as her glaring eyes stalked me. I didn’t know what to do. I was only a human, and there was no one here to protect me. The beating of my frantic heart pounded throughout my head and ears as survival mode took over. I had to escape. I didn’t know how, but I had to try, even if I was convinced that I had reached my final hour of life.

I turned and walked as fast as I could across the street, trying to get a bit of distance between us. I glanced back at her as she followed right behind me. With her advanced speed, she had no problem keeping up the pace. I thought about going into one of the stores, but quickly pushed that thought aside. I didn’t want anyone else dying because of me. Her focus was on me. She didn’t care about anyone else’s blood at the moment but mine, and that was how I wanted it to stay.

I gasped as her hand tightly gripped my arm and pulled me into the nearby alley. She pushed me forward and I fell, scraping my hands and knees.

“I told you I wanted your blood.”

Out of a desperate attempt to escape, my mind immediately thought about the flask that I had tucked away in my back pocket. I stood and reached behind me, taking out the flask as I walked backward.

She noticed this and grabbed me by the shirt, yanking me forward. “What are you hiding?”

As I looked into her eyes, I saw nothing even remotely human lurking inside of her. She was, indeed, pure evil. I threw the alcohol in her face. She gasped and let go of my shirt as she wiped her face. I took that as my opportunity to escape. I ran down the alley, hoping to get away, when a sharp pain stabbed through my head as she gripped a huge chunk of my hair and yanked me back. I winced as I fell hard on the ground, feeling my elbows bust open as she drug me before yanking me to my feet and slamming me against the wall. I took in a breath, my eyes filling with tears as a burning sensation spread throughout my head and shoulder. She was so monstrous…so brutal.

I balled my fist and punched her, but the effect of my hit did nothing to her.

Feeling humored by my inability to harm her, she smiled. “Nice try.”

She pushed my head against the building, preventing me from moving, and she grabbed my arm. Her cold nose ran against my skin as she smelled my wrist.

She sighed. “Blood.”

I heard her yelp as she let go of my head. It was Silas. He had hold of Andie’s hair as he threw her against the wall. I slid down the wall of the building, my hands balling into fists as I watched the horrific scene before me. She hissed and swung her fist his way. He leaned back, just dodging the hit. Bringing his hand up, he clawed her face, leaving five deep claw marks across her cheek. When he attempted to strike her once more, she blocked the hit and kneed him in the groin. I heard him gasp, and he stumbled backward, holding his area. She then shoved her foot in his chest and he flew back against the building. Taking one last look at me, she ran and made her escape.

Silas knelt in front of me, holding his stomach as pain filled his face. He then let out a breath. “I believe that’s the second time I saved your life.”

I looked down, saddened and shaken up by what I had just been through. Despite knowing Andie was immortal, nothing could have mentally prepared me for her attack.

He grabbed my hand, noticing that my hands were shaking along with the rest of my body from the shock.

“Hey, there’s a café across the street. Do you want to go grab a cup of coffee? It should help to calm you down a bit.”

I nodded. “Okay,” I choked out.

****

The smell of coffee and pastries that filled the air gave the café a warm, homey feel as I settled in my seat, running my shaking hands through my hair as I let out a sigh. I needed to calm down. Silas returned with coffee and a slice of apple pie in hand then sat it in front of me.

“I’m hoping you like apple pie.”

I pushed the plate away. “I’m actually allergic to apples.”

I bit down on my lip, forcing away the smile that tried to break through. I loved apple pie, but he didn’t know that.

His eyes widened. “Oh, really?”

I grinned, not able to contain my amusement any longer. “No; I’m just kidding. Apple pie is great. I love it. You didn’t get anything.”

“I don’t eat human food.”

“So what do you eat?”

His brows furrowed as he searched my eyes. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?”

It was then when we actually stared long enough into each other’s eyes did I realize that something was different with him. There was no overwhelming sexual desire urging me to have my way with him. Though, there was something there and I was very much attracted to him, it wasn’t heightened to where it dominated my every thought. His eyes were light, with a hint of want; not the usual heavy, intense, lust-filled gaze that sucked me into a trance. It was as if I was seeing him in a different light, without him having to work at holding my attention. It was natural. How very interesting.

I blew on my coffee and took a sip. “My grandmother used to tell Taylor and me bedtime stories about vampires and werewolves, but I never really paid that much attention because I thought it was just a bunch of crap. Nowhere in her stories did any succubus or incubus come up. So, in a way, I’m very clueless when it comes to your kind.”

“I’m convinced you live in a bubble. Isn’t your brother a hunter?”

I looked down and drank my coffee. I knew my next set of words would only lead to more questions. I was uncomfortable already. “I was away. I only recently found out what my brother was.”

“Where did you go?”